Photo: Tesla, @FudBos via X
Last week, people noticed that Tesla had redesigned the Cybertruck ordering page. Notably, the Cybertruck RWD, previously listed at $60,990, no longer appears as an option. However, Tesla still lists this variant on the Cybertruck landing page, suggesting that the most affordable Cybertruck model may still be on the road.
In 2019, Tesla unveiled the Cybertruck with killer specs and a price tag that caused many sleepless nights at Detroit Three headquarters. However, when deliveries finally began in November 2023, the important specs were significantly scaled back while prices skyrocketed. For example, the Trimotor All-wheel drive model was announced in 2019 with a range of 500 miles for $69,900. However, when the Cyberbeast began deliveries last year, it could only go 320 miles on a charge while the price increased to $119,990.
The drop in range is mainly due to the fact that the 4,680 cells Tesla developed specifically for the Cybertruck proved to be disappointing. However, the Cyberbeast's already high starting price was further increased by adding the $20,000 Foundation Series package. Tesla used this marketing ploy to avoid major losses on the Cybertruck while production ramped up. Announced as a “limited edition” The Foundation Series now appears limited only by the number of people willing to pay the premium price.
As more and more pre-order holders decline to configure a Cybertruck Foundation Series, it’s clear that Tesla won’t be able to delay the regular variants of the truck any longer. Its latest efforts have been to start Cybertruck sales in Canada and Mexico, while offering the truck in the U.S. without pre-orders. Once those demand levers play out, people will finally be able to order a Cybertruck at a more reasonable price.
However, Tesla has made a bizarre move and removed the cheapest Cybertruck variant from its ordering page. The website redesign launched on August 9, and the only options left are the Foundation Series AWD and Cyberbeast models. Previously, people could still pre-order the RWD Cybertruck, although deliveries were announced for 2025. It’s a single-motor model with a promised range of 250 miles, suggesting it will have a smaller (or software-limited) battery pack.
The Cybertruck RWD model was previously listed at $60,990, which is still 50% more than the $39,900 Tesla promised in 2019. However, it was the best variant for people who want Tesla’s futuristic pickup but don’t want to spend a fortune. While Tesla hasn’t finalized the specs yet, the few listed on the website look good enough for most.
The removal of the RWD trim from the Design Studio has caused a stir among reservation holders. People think that Tesla has changed course and is no longer planning to add a RWD pickup to the lineup. This may be true, considering that all electric pickups on the market have at least two motors. However, another explanation may be more likely.
As some have suggested (and Tesla has confirmed), the order page only lists Foundation Series models, which can be ordered for immediate delivery. The RWD model was never part of the Foundation Series, which may explain why it disappeared. This theory seems supported by the fact that Tesla’s website still lists the RWD Cybertruck model on its landing page.
Even if Tesla does indeed produce a single-engine Cybertruck, there's no guarantee it will be available for $60,990. Considering all the new technology, production costs must be sky-high, which means Electric vehicle producer needs higher prices to limit losses. This was the purpose of the Foundation Series markup in the first place.
No. There has never been a single RWD Foundation series engine. For now, the configurator only shows the Foundation series. This does not mean that RWD has been cancelled.
— Sawyer Merritt (@SawyerMerritt) August 9, 2024